Daytona 500 champions enjoy extensive celebration

Jimmie Johnson poses for photos after winning the Daytona 500 on Sunday in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Terry Renna/AP

By Godwin KellyHalifax Media Group

Published: Monday, February 25, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 1:09 a.m.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Long after the grandstands cleared Sunday night, Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and almost everyone associated with the No. 48 Chevrolet partied around the team hauler, which was parked at Daytona International Speedway's finish line.

The team shot video of their version of the “Harlem Shake,” which will air on an Internet near you in the near future. At one point, Johnson was dancing atop the hauler.

All of this was news Monday morning to team owner Rick Hendrick, who joined Johnson, Knaus and Co. for the annual champion's breakfast in the Speedway's Bill France Room.

As is the tradition, the No. 48 Chevy will remain on display at the Speedway Ticket & Tours Building for the next year.

While the team partied around the hauler, Hendrick had a much quieter celebration Sunday night aboard his boat, where he made camp for Speedweeks.

“Why wasn't I invited?” Hendrick asked in a joking manner. “They looked like they were all at a party last night, but I didn't know where it was. I'm glad (Jimmie) didn't fall off the transporter.”

“We were going to tell you about it, boss,” Knaus said with a laugh.

“One of the guys on the team arranged it all,” Johnson said. “We'll see what gets put out there.”

Speedway president Joie Chitwood III said he didn't know about the impromptu celebration until it was revealed Monday during the breakfast. He has no problem with the winning team enjoying their victory.

“Give them the keys to the castle,” Chitwood said. “They earned it.”

“No telling when this will happen again, so we want to enjoy it,” Johnson said.

It was Hendrick's seventh Daytona 500 crown since 1986, when Geoff Bodine nabbed the victory. It was Johnson's second 500 title, but Knaus' first as the No. 48 crew chief.

When Johnson won in 2006, Knaus had been expelled from Speedweeks after a post-qualifying inspection of the No. 48 car.

“When we won in 2006, it was one of my best days as a crew chief — unfortunately, I wasn't here,” Knaus said. “To finally be down here and win with the No. 48 team, Jimmie and the rest of my guys is fantastic. I'm honored to be crew chief of this race team.”

Johnson led the final 10 laps, beating Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the stripe. Johnson's and Earnhardt's cars are prepared in the same shop.

Hendrick said all of his Daytona 500 wins are special. This one may be a little more special because Chitwood commissioned a second Harley J. Earl replica trophy for the car owner. Hendrick received his trophy Monday from Chitwood.

Chitwood also presented Knaus with the inaugural Cannonball Baker Trophy, which will be given to the Daytona 500's winning crew chief. Johnson, Knaus and Hendrick were all presented black leather Daytona 500 champion jackets.

Chitwood said he watched the first 30 laps of the Daytona 500 from the section of the grandstands that was sprayed by debris during the final lap of Saturday's Nationwide race. At least 28 fans were injured.

“I felt it was the appropriate thing to do,” Chitwood said. “I run this track, and I'm comfortable sitting in any seat at the track. I wanted fans to see me sitting there with them.

“I am not aware of any fans requesting for seat changes. The fans I was sitting with were having a really good time. I couldn't see any problems at all.”

<p>DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Long after the grandstands cleared Sunday night, Daytona 500 winner Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus and almost everyone associated with the No. 48 Chevrolet partied around the team hauler, which was parked at Daytona International Speedway's finish line.</p><p>The team shot video of their version of the “Harlem Shake,” which will air on an Internet near you in the near future. At one point, Johnson was dancing atop the hauler.</p><p>All of this was news Monday morning to team owner Rick Hendrick, who joined Johnson, Knaus and Co. for the annual champion's breakfast in the Speedway's Bill France Room.</p><p>As is the tradition, the No. 48 Chevy will remain on display at the Speedway Ticket & Tours Building for the next year. </p><p>While the team partied around the hauler, Hendrick had a much quieter celebration Sunday night aboard his boat, where he made camp for Speedweeks.</p><p>“Why wasn't I invited?” Hendrick asked in a joking manner. “They looked like they were all at a party last night, but I didn't know where it was. I'm glad (Jimmie) didn't fall off the transporter.”</p><p>“We were going to tell you about it, boss,” Knaus said with a laugh.</p><p>“One of the guys on the team arranged it all,” Johnson said. “We'll see what gets put out there.”</p><p>Speedway president Joie Chitwood III said he didn't know about the impromptu celebration until it was revealed Monday during the breakfast. He has no problem with the winning team enjoying their victory.</p><p>“Give them the keys to the castle,” Chitwood said. “They earned it.”</p><p>“No telling when this will happen again, so we want to enjoy it,” Johnson said.</p><p>It was Hendrick's seventh Daytona 500 crown since 1986, when Geoff Bodine nabbed the victory. It was Johnson's second 500 title, but Knaus' first as the No. 48 crew chief.</p><p>When Johnson won in 2006, Knaus had been expelled from Speedweeks after a post-qualifying inspection of the No. 48 car. </p><p>“When we won in 2006, it was one of my best days as a crew chief — unfortunately, I wasn't here,” Knaus said. “To finally be down here and win with the No. 48 team, Jimmie and the rest of my guys is fantastic. I'm honored to be crew chief of this race team.”</p><p>Johnson led the final 10 laps, beating Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. to the stripe. Johnson's and Earnhardt's cars are prepared in the same shop.</p><p>Hendrick said all of his Daytona 500 wins are special. This one may be a little more special because Chitwood commissioned a second Harley J. Earl replica trophy for the car owner. Hendrick received his trophy Monday from Chitwood.</p><p>Chitwood also presented Knaus with the inaugural Cannonball Baker Trophy, which will be given to the Daytona 500's winning crew chief. Johnson, Knaus and Hendrick were all presented black leather Daytona 500 champion jackets.</p><p>Chitwood said he watched the first 30 laps of the Daytona 500 from the section of the grandstands that was sprayed by debris during the final lap of Saturday's Nationwide race. At least 28 fans were injured.</p><p>“I felt it was the appropriate thing to do,” Chitwood said. “I run this track, and I'm comfortable sitting in any seat at the track. I wanted fans to see me sitting there with them.</p><p>“I am not aware of any fans requesting for seat changes. The fans I was sitting with were having a really good time. I couldn't see any problems at all.”</p>